Device for holding glass panes

ABSTRACT

The invention proposes an arrangement for the construction of a structure from panel-like material, for example a glazed weatherproof structure, in the case of which no framing of the panels ( 21, 22 ) is necessary and the construction can be carried out with little outlay. This is achieved according to the invention in that there is provided a support ( 2 ) which can be fastened on a supporting tube ( 3 ) and by means of which at least panels ( 21, 22 ) are retained, the supporting tube ( 3 ) having a slot for the variable installation of the support ( 2 ).

The invention relates to an arrangement for securing glass panels, inparticular as a weatherproof structure for outdoor areas such asterraces, balconies or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Outdoor areas such as terraces, balconies or the like are usually eitheropen, and thus exposed to the weather; or protected by appropriatewind-screening means, although this obscures the view. From time totime, glass panels are also used as a wind-screening means in which saidglass panels are fastened on the windward side of the appropriateoutdoor area.

Furthermore, so-called conservatories, in the case of which an outdoorarea is fully glazed in a sealed manner, are very common. Suchconservatories serve as a recreational area in particular in thetransitional periods in the spring and in the fall, during which timesthe usually low temperatures mean that spending time out in the open isonly possible if appropriate clothing is worn.

These closed conservatories thus have a high-outlay thermopane glazing,in order to ensure certain temperature insulation in relation to theexterior surroundings. In warmer weather, in particular in the summer,this means that a considerable amount of heat is introduced into theconservatory, with the result that it is no longer comfortable to stayin this conservatory without an appropriate shade-providing system. Inaddition, a conservatory as mentioned above constitutes a closed area inthe case of which sufficient ventilation has to be ensured.

In the case of the known conservatories, a frame construction comprisingsupports and so-called crossbars is erected, the panels being insertedtherein. Said frame construction is designed specifically for theenvisaged structure, which involves a certain outlay in terms of timeand money.

The documents DE 93 02 820.2, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,310 and DE 39 27 653have disclosed arrangements which are intended for securing glasspanels, wooden panels or the like for erecting structures and in thecase of which use is made of supporting tubes and securing means whichare provided on the supporting tubes and are intended for securing thepanels.

No provision is made in any of the three documents for securingadditional components on the respective supporting tubes.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose an arrangement ofthe type mentioned in the introduction in the case of which additionalfastening elements may be provided, with little outlay, at any desiredlocation on the supporting tube.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose an arrangementwhich is intended for securing panel-like material, in particular glasspanels, and which can be realized with considerably reduced outlay incomparison with know arrangements and can be used flexibly for differentpurposes.

Taking as a departure point the prior art mentioned in the introduction,this object is achieved by the defining features of the claims.

Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possibleby virtue of the measures mentioned in the subclaims.

An arrangement according to the invention for securing panel-likematerial such as glass panels etc. comprises a supporting tube which hasa longitudinal slot on which a retaining element can be fastened inorder to secure the support on the supporting tube. In such alongitudinal slot, it is possible to fasten the support, for securingthe panels, at any desired position in the longitudinal direction of thesupporting tube. This results in flexible use of the arrangement. Thesupport may be arranged in accordance with the design of the panel whichis to be secured. Such an arrangement can be used to retain all types ofpanels for a wide range of different purposes.

An arrangement according to the invention for securing panel-likematerial such as glass panels etc. comprises a supporting tube which hasa longitudinal slot on which a retaining element can be fastened inorder to secure the support on the supporting tube. In such alongitudinal slot, it is possible to fasten the support, for securingthe panels, at any desired position in the longitudinal direction of thesupporting tube, this resulting in flexible use of the arrangement. Thesupport may be arranged in accordance with the design of the panel whichis to be secured. Such an arrangement can be used to retain all types ofpanels for recesses in the outer wall of the supporting tube, andinserted through the additional longitudinal profile. Such a structuralelement is be fastened for example by a screw which, then by way of theprofile groove, can likewise be countersunk in the interior of thesupporting tube in relation to the outer wall.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the supporting tube isprovided with a termination profile which is intended for the profilegroove and by means of which the profile groove can be covered in theregions in which no support has been installed. This, on the one hand,determines the appearance of the arrangement and, on the other hand,closes off the profile groove toward the outside, with the result thatno dirt or the like can penetrate.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, an end-sidecovering is provided on the supporting tube. This, on the one hand,visually closes off the supporting tube and, on the other hand, preventsdirt, rainwater or the like from being able to penetrate into thesupporting tube from above.

In a development of this embodiment, two end-side coverings of twosupporting tubes are fastened on one another. This makes it possible touse two supporting tubes in extension of one another.

It is preferable, for example with the aid of two end-side coverings asmentioned above, for two supporting tubes to be designed such that theycan be fastened at the end sides with the profile grooves rotated inrelation to one another. This makes it possible for the installationplane of the panels retained by the respective supporting tubes to berotated correspondingly in relation to one another.

Also preferably provided is is a support which can be fastened on asupporting tube and by means of which at least two adjacent panels areretained at the same time. By means of such an arrangement, it ispossible to construct a structure in panel-like material e.g. a glassstructure or a glazed weatherproof structure, with little outlay andwithout the individual panels being framed. In this case, the panelseither may be arranged with open interspaces, which results incorrespondingly good through-ventilation, or else may also be sealed inrelation to one another via sealants which can be introducedsubsequently, this resulting in a closed structure.

In an advantageous embodiment, said support is designed so as always toensure that a gap forming between the adjacent panels is located levelwith the supporting tube and runs essentially parallel thereto.

This arrangement allows, for example, an air gap through which inparticular even an enclosed area can be constantly ventilated, an airstream which reaches the air gap and penetrates within being broken upat the supporting tube located behind. Such a weatherproof structure isthus protected against draughts, good ventilation always being ensured.Using the supporting tube as something of a wind-break considerablyreduces the number of parts required. This considerably reduces theproduction outlay for erecting a weatherproof structure according to theinvention, the appearance of the weatherproof structure being improvedat the same time.

However, a construction of mutual overlapping of adjacent panels wouldalso be conceivable, and there is likewise no possibility of any directdraughts into the interior of the structure in the case of openinterspaces.

The support is advantageously designed such that the distances of eachpanel from a plane which runs through the center point of the supportingtube and is parallel to the panel are essentially equal. Thisconsiderably improves the appearance of the structure.

Furthermore, the support is preferably designed such that the bisectorof the angle between two adjacent panels intersects the center axis ofthe supporting tube. As a result, the supporting tube is located in themain wind-inlet direction, directly behind the air gap, at the samedistance from the two panels, as a result of which the wind-breakingfunction is improved.

An arrangement according to the invention advantageously provides meansfor adjusting the position of a panel. These adjustment means cover, forexample, adjustment of the position of the support in relation to thepanel, adjustment of the position of the support in relation to thesupporting tube and/or adjustment of the distance of the panel from thesupporting tube.

In an advantageous embodiment, a support according to the invention isprovided with a retaining bolt which passes through appropriatereceiving means of the panel which is to be retained. Such receivingmeans may be provided, for example, as bores in the panel or else asspecifically designed receiving parts, e.g. internally threaded metalinserts which have recently become available, for example, inlaminated-safety-glass panels.

It is advantageous here for the distances of the receiving means fromthe side border of the panel and from the gap to be essentially equal.This further improves the appearance of the construction.

The distance of the panel from the support can be adjusted, for example,in that the retaining bolts can be fastened in the support in a variableposition in terms of its axial direction. In the case of a threadedbolt, this can be carried out, in a straightforward embodiment, by oneor more adjustment nuts.

The possibility of adjusting the panel in a direction parallel to thepanel plane can be realized, for example, by a bearing element which isused eccentrically in relation to the axis of the retaining bolt and isintroduced into a receiving means, for example a bore of the panel.Depending on the position of the eccentricity in relation to theretaining bolt, the height or the lateral offset of the panel changeshere in relation to the retaining bolt. Such an eccentric bearingelement may be realized, for example, by a spacer sleeve with aneccentric through-passage bore for the retaining bolt.

Different supports are advantageously provided with different angles. Asa result, it is possible to set an appropriate angle between twoadjacent panels in dependence on the selection of the supports used.

Furthermore, a particular embodiment provides a support with anadjustment device for the variable setting of the fastening angle of apanel, this increasing the number of the various possible uses of thesupport.

Sealing profiles are advantageously provided for the roof region of aconstruction according to the invention. In the case of installation inthe roof region, an air gap according to the invention would be ahindrance since rainwater could penetrate through it. The use of sealingprofiles closes off such an air gap in a watertight manner, it stillbeing possible to use a support of the type described.

Such sealing profiles may also be used for sealing a wall constructionaccording to the invention, this resulting in a closed area. Inparticular when using insulating glass, which usually comprises at leasttwo spaced-apart glass panels, it is recommended here for across-sectionally circular rubber cord to be positioned in the region ofthe interspace between the two glass panels and for the rest of thecavities in the gap to be sealed with a sealing compound, for examplesilicone. It is also possible for the rubber cord to consist of foamrubber such as neoprene, etc.

Vertically overlapping installation is preferably provided in the roofregion, it being possible for such an overlap of individual panels to beachieved, for example, by the abovementioned adjustment means or byadditional spacers during the installation of a support. It would alsobe conceivable, however, to provide different supports for this specificapplication, with the result that the panel which is on top of thislocation is at a greater distance from the supporting tube than thepanel on the bottom.

Elastic retaining elements are advantageously provided for securing thepanel. In the case of a glass panel, for example, this compensates forany possible stressing in the glass panel, with the result that breakageof the glass is largely avoided.

In the case of a weatherproof structure erected according to theinvention, single glazing is also possible, in contrast to previousconservatories, since thermal insulation is not intended anyway in thecase of open air gaps. Single-glazing panels, however, are particularlysensitive to such stressing. According to the invention, each glasspanel is retained individually and does not have to be aligned preciselyin relation to an adjacent panel. This alone avoids stressing within theglass panels. By virtue of the additional elastic securing means, it isalso possible, in the same way as with the abovementioned adjustmentmeans, to provide appropriate compensation within the securing points ofindividual glass panels.

In contrast to the closed conservatory, a glass structure erected withopen gaps provides an area which always has through-ventilation but isprotected from the weather. In particular, this area is also protectedagainst penetrating UV radiation. The open construction, in particularwith overlapping glass panels in the roof region, also provides, inaddition to through-ventilation, an outlet for insects which stray intothe interior of the glass structure. As has been mentioned, the openconstruction makes it possible to have single glazing in the case ofwhich, in addition, no condensation is produced.

The glass structure erected as mentioned above also provides soundinsulation, which is improved, in particular, by the elastic retainingelements.

A panel change, in the case of an arrangement with the abovementionedsupports, is always possible from the inside, with the result that noexterior scaffolding is necessary. In the case of such a structure,there are no screw-connections on the outside, with the result thatcertain protection against theft is thus ensured.

For the various securing parts, use is preferably made of a treatedaluminum, this ensuring, at the same time, a high loading capacity, agood handling capacity, as a result of the weight being kept low, andlong-term corrosion prevention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawingand is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to thefigures.

In the drawing, in specific terms:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of an arrangementaccording to the invention angled at 90°,

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to the invention angled at 45°away from the supporting tube, and

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement according to the invention angled at 45°toward the supporting tube,

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement positioned at 180°,

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement angled at 90° toward the supporting tube,

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement according to the invention serving as an endtermination,

FIG. 7 shows an illustration of the assembly of an arrangement accordingto the preceding figures,

FIG. 8 shows a side illustration of a supporting tube with an end-sidecovering placed in position,

FIG. 9 shows a cross section through a supporting tube according to FIG.8,

FIG. 10 shows two end-side connection parts which can be connectedrotatedly to one another,

FIG. 11 shows a partial section through a supporting tube according tothe invention with an additionally provided retaining plate,

FIG. 12 shows a cross section through a supporting tube according toFIG. 11,

FIG. 13 shows a side view of a supporting tube with retaining plate andtension bar,

FIG. 14 shows a cross section through a supporting tube with wallfastening,

FIG. 15 shows a cross section in the longitudinal direction through asupporting tube according to FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 shows a cross section through a support with panel-securingmeans which can be rotated, and

FIG. 17 shows an end view of a covering profile for the opening slot ofa supporting tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a support 2 which isfastened on a supporting tube 3. The support 2 branches into tworetaining legs 4, 5 which extend from a tube-side section 6. Provided atthe ends of the retaining legs 4, 5 are bores 7, 8 which each have aretaining bolt 9, 10 passing through them. In the present case, thebores 7, 8 are provided in end-side reinforcements 11, 12 of theretaining legs 4, 5, said reinforcements additionally having a recess13, 14 for receiving a screw nut 42, 43 for screwing onto the retainingbolts 9, 10.

The retaining bolts 9, 10 are secured on the retaining legs 4, 5 via anut 15, 16. Provided at the end of the retaining bolts 7, 8 are in eachcase one inner retaining disk 17, 18 and in each one outer retainingdisk 19, 20. The two retaining disks can be screwed onto the appropriateretaining bolt 9, 10 and each enclose a glass panel 21, 22. Theretaining bolt 9, 10 passes through an eccentric sleeve 23, 24 whichcomes to rest in an appropriate bore 25, 26 of the respective glasspanel 21, 22. In the illustration according to FIGS. 1 to 3, theeccentric sleeve is located such that the eccentricity is perpendicularto the drawing plane and thus cannot be seen.

In the vicinity of its circumference, each retaining disks 17, 18, 19,20 has an annular groove 27, 28, 29, 30 in which an elastic element (notillustrated specifically in the figure), for example a rubber ring, canbe positioned.

The tube-side section 6 has a bore 31 which, in the form of an annularshoulder 32, has a cross-sectional widening 33. In the wider section 34of the bore 31, a screw head 35 butts against the annular shoulder 32.The threaded section of the screw 36 passes through the narrower section37 of the bore 31 and is screwed into a sliding block 38. The slidingblock 38 is mounted in an appropriate longitudinal groove 39 of thesupporting tube 3. The bearing surface 40 of the tube-side section 6 ofthe support 2 has a curvature which is adapted to the circumference ofthe supporting tube 3.

The support 2 is fastened firmly in the desired position on thesupporting tube 3 via the locking screw 36. By virtue of the lockingscrew 36 being released, it is possible for the support 2, on account ofthe displaceable mounting of the sliding block 38 in the longitudinalprofile groove 39, to be displaced along the tube 3 and then fastenedagain by virtue of the locking screw 36 being tightened.

The two glass panels 21, 22 are retained carefully by the elastic rings(not illustrated specifically) in the annular grooves 27, 28, 29, 30 andby bearing on the eccentric sleeve, which acts as a spacer sleeve. Thebores 25, 26 and the extent of the retaining legs 4, 5 are selected suchthat the distance a1 of the panel 21 from a parallel plane whichintersects the center axis M is equal to the distance a2 of the glasspanel 22 from a plane which is parallel to this glass panel and runsthrough the center axis M of the tube 3. Precision setting can becarried out here by virtue of the nuts 15, 42 and 16, 43 being turned.The arrangement is symmetrical in relation to the angle bisector W ofthe support 2, with the result that the air gap 41 is bisected by saidangle bisector W. This means that, in relation to this direction W, theair gap 41 is located directly and centrally in front of the supportingtube 3, with the result that an air stream which reaches the air gap 41frontally reaches the supporting tube 3 centrally, where it isdeflected. Here too, adjustment in the direction of the arrows P, P′ ispossible by virtue of the eccentric sleeves 23, 24 being rotated.

The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3 essentiallycorrespond to the exemplary embodiment described above. They differ,however, in the arrangement of the retaining legs 4, 5, as a result ofwhich it is possible to set different angles between the glass panels21, 22. Thus, for example, the support 2 according to the FIG. 1 sets aright angle a between the glass panels 21, 22 which is oriented outward,as seen from the side of the supporting tube 3. The support 2 accordingto FIG. 2 produces an angle of 45° between the glass panels 21, 22 whichis likewise directed outward (as seen from the supporting tube 3).

FIG. 3, in turn, produces a 45° angle β in the direction of thesupporting tube 3 between the glass panels 21 and 22. Corresponding tothe three exemplary embodiments mentioned, FIG. 4 illustrates anarrangement according to the invention in the case of which the glasspanels 21, 22 are located at 180° in rectilinear extension of oneanother. It is also possible in an analogous manner for the glass panelsto be arranged at any other desired angle.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the respective distances a1 and a2 ofthe glass panels 21 and 22 from a plane which intersects the center axisof the supporting tube 3 and runs parallel to the glass panels 21 and 22are equal. It is also the case that the distances of the glass bores 24,25 from the border of the glass or the air gap 41 are always arrangedwith the same unit spacing. It is likewise the case that the angles areprovided such that the angle bisector W more or less always intersectsthe center axis M of the supporting tube 3. As a result, it is not justthe case that the supporting tube 3 is located level with the air gap41, in relation to the air flow which reaches the air gap 41 frontally;it is also located symmetrically and centrally in relation to said flowdirection along the angle bisector W, this resulting in optimum actionas an obstruction to air. It is also possible to have an overlappingarrangement of adjacent panels 21, 22 on account of the possibility ofadjusting the panel distance a1, a2 from the supporting tube 3 by virtueof the screw nuts 16, 43 and 15, 42.

The arrangement according to FIG. 6 corresponds to the exemplaryembodiments mentioned above, although in the present case the support 53does not have any legs 4, 5. This logically means that the support 53can also only be used for fastening a panel as an end termination.Unlike the previously described embodiments, the retaining bolt 47 inthis case is screwed into a receiving block 48 with internal thread 49.Via transverse bores 50 of the receiving block 48 and correspondingtransverse bores 51, which in some cases are provided with an internalthread, the receiving block 48 is fixed in a receiving bore 52 of thesupport 53 by means of a screw (not illustrated specifically). Thesecuring system otherwise corresponds to the exemplary embodimentsmentioned above.

FIG. 7 illustrates the assembly of an arrangement 1 according to theinvention. First of all, the retaining bolt 9 is inserted through theouter retaining element 19, the head 44 being received in an appropriaterecess of the retaining element 19 so as to produce a flush outersurface. Then the eccentric sleeve 23, which in this case has aninternally threaded bore, is screwed onto the retaining bolt 9.

Thereafter, the structural unit comprising retaining bolt 9, eccentricsleeve 23 and outer retaining element 19 is positioned in the desiredeccentrically rotated position in the bore 25 of the glass panel 21. Theglass panel 21 thus rests centrally at the highest point of theeccentric sleeve 23 (on account of the circular bore 25). Then the innerretaining element 17, which likewise contains an internal thread, isscrewed onto the retaining bolt 9. The intended distance from thesupport 2 is then set with the aid of the nut 15 and, subsequently, theentire unit is inserted, with the retaining bolt 9, through the bore 7of the retaining leg 4. The arrangement 1 is then fixed by virtue of asecuring ring 45 and the screw nut 42 being screwed on. The glass panel22 is illustrated as already having been installed on the retaining leg5.

The height of the support 2 can be set, as has been described, via theguidance of the sliding block 38 in the longitudinal profile groove 39.

The opposite side of the supporting tube 3 has an inner reinforcinglongitudinal profile 46. This profile 46 serves, on the one hand, forimproving the rigidity of the supporting tube 3 and can be used as anadditional installation or guide profile for further structural units,e.g. made of flat material. In this case, the tube wall has to be boredor cut open in the appropriate region, with the result that the groove46 is accessible from the outside.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an end-side covering 65 which closes off thesupporting tube 3 on the end side. This avoids the situation wheremoisture or dirt can pass into the interior of the supporting tube 3, anaesthetically pleasing tube termination being provided in addition. Thecovering 65 is provided with an insertion profile 66, of which the guidewebs 67 butt against the tube 3 on the inside. The insertion profile 66is screw-connected via one or more threaded bores 68, the fasteningscrews 69, in turn, being countersunk in the interior of thelongitudinal groove 39.

It is also possible for further measures (not illustrated specifically)for securing the covering 65 in a fitting and play-free manner, forexample the use of spring-type straight pins or tapered pins which aredriven into appropriately offset bores or other measures which areconventional in metal construction, to be used in addition to, or eveninstead of, the screwed-connection 69.

The illustration according to FIG. 10 shows the use of two coverings 70,71 with corresponding insertion profiles 72, 73. The two coverings 70,71 can be rotated in relation to one another and fastened on oneanother. This is possible, for example, by virtue of a threaded rod 74being screwed into appropriate threaded bores 75, 76 in the coverings70, 71. This makes it possible for two supporting tubes 3 to be fastenedat the end sides in extension of one another, the longitudinal grooves39 being rotated in relation to one another in accordance with therotation between the coverings 70, 71. This makes it possible to rotatethe retaining plane of the glass panels which are to be fastened on thesupporting tubes 3.

FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate exemplary embodiments for using the innerreinforcing profile 46. FIGS. 11 to 13 show the fastening of a couplingring 54 on that side of the supporting tube 3 which is located oppositethe longitudinal groove 39. For this purpose, the tube wall 55 isnotched to the extent where the ring 54 can be pushed in. By virtue ofthe design of the reinforcing profile 46 as a profile which is opentoward the interior of the supporting tube 3, the coupling ring 54 canbe inserted until it passes through the reinforcing profile 46 andstrikes against the transverse web 56 of the profile 57, which forms thelongitudinal profile groove 39. The coupling ring 54 may then bescrew-connected in the interior of the longitudinal profile groove 39,with the result that the screws 58 are countersunk in the interior ofthe supporting tube 3.

A tension rod 59, for example, may be fastened, in the present exemplaryembodiment rotatably, on the coupling ring 54.

Other additional fastening elements may be fastened on the supportingtube 3 in an analogous manner. Thus, as a further exemplary embodiment,FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate how a wall fastening 60 may be provided on asupporting tube 3. In this embodiment, a securing plate 61, in turn, isinserted through the tube wall 55 by way of an appropriate notched-outportion and, finally, through the reinforcing profile 46 and, in turn,is screw-connected on the transverse web 56 of thelongitudinal-groove-forming profile 57 by screws 58. Two fasteningangles 62, 63 are fastened, for example screw-connected in thethrough-passage bore 64, on either side of the securing of the securingplate 61. The fastening angles 62, 63, in turn, are fastened, forexample dowel-jointed, on any desired wall. This variant shows how, forexample, a glass cladding or a glass facade can be erected in front of abuilding wall. Of course, the wall fastening 60 may be provided not juston continuous walls but also on posts or other structural elements of abuilding.

FIG. 16, in turn, shows a possible way of rotating the glass panels 21,22 in the support 2. The a support 2 is provided with a receiving means77 with a circle-segment-like cross section. A glass-retaining means 78is provided with a bearing 79 which can be positioned on the receivingmeans 77 in a positively locking manner.

The glass-retaining means 78 is fixed on the receiving means 77 by alocking screw 80 which is inserted into two conical bores 81, 82 and islocked via a lock nut 83, which in this case has a bearing surface 85which is curved to fit the locking surface 84 of the receiving means 77.With the aid of the support 2 according to FIG. 11, it is thus possibleto set any desired angle within a predetermined angle range for theglass panels 21, 22.

In the case of basic cylindrical shapes for the receiving means 77 andthe bearing 79, rotatability about the cylinder axis is thus provided,and in the case of spherical design, the orientation of a glass panel21, 22 may be adjusted as desired.

Following installation of all of the envisaged structural elements, thelongitudinal profile groove 39 is preferably closed by a coveringprofile, for example a profile according to FIG. 17. The profileaccording to FIG. 17 comprises a top section 86 which serves for closingoff a longitudinal groove on the outside. With the aid of a latchingsection 87, the covering profile 89 can be latched in a longitudinalgroove 39. A guide opening 88 serves for fixing the covering profile 89on the end side, for example by way of a retaining pin (not illustratedspecifically) of an end-side covering 65, 70, 71, as described above, orelse of a covering for a butt joint (said covering not being illustratedspecifically), for example for forming a construction from longitudinaland transverse supports. Such a butt joint is preferably formed via twohalf-shells with appropriate openings for supporting tubes 3, which forma closed junction point for various supporting tubes 3.

The covering profile 89 is preferably formed from rubber, but other,preferably elastic and sealing, materials such as Teflon etc. are alsoconceivable.

A construction of the type described above can be used to erectcost-effectively a wide range of different structures with panel-likematerial without fixed framing. The supporting tube 3 with thelongitudinal slot according to the invention or the longitudinal profilegroove 39 according to the invention allows a very great amount offlexibility for fastening supports 2 or other retaining elements 59, 61.

As has already been mentioned a number of times, an arrangementaccording to the invention may also be used for securing insulatingglass, i.e. laminated safety glass.

The arrangement according to the invention can be used for a wide rangeof applications. It can be used, in particular, for walkway canopies,trade-fair halls, passageways, shelters, winter protection forstairways, tunnels etc. and for erecting stands in trade-fairconstruction.

As has likewise already been mentioned a number of times, seals orsealing profiles, for example made of rubber or aluminum, areconceivable for the erection of a sealed construction without air gaps.

An arrangement according to the invention can be used not just forterraces and balconies of private houses and public buildings, forexample in inns or restaurants or the like; it is also possible, forexample by means of a construction according to the invention, for ahouse facade to be protected against weathering and nevertheless toremain visible from the outside. It is also possible to realizepedestrian passageways and much more using an abovedescribed open glassconstruction with a securing arrangement according to the invention.Since the invention is suitable not just for glass panels but also forother types of panels, it is also possible for non-glazed structures orpartially glazed structures to be erected therewith.

It is also easily possible for an individual to erect an arrangementaccording to the invention himself/herself. For this purpose, it isconceivable to provide corresponding kits which are available in DIYstores or similar sales outlets. High-outlay installation, as in thecase of conventional conservatories, is dispensed with, as has alreadybeen mentioned a number of times.

List of designations:  1 Arrangement  2 Support  3 Supporting tube  4Retaining leg  5 Retaining leg  6 Tube-side section  7 Bore  8 Bore  9Retaining bolt 10 Retaining bolt 11 Reinforcement 12 Reinforcement 13Recess 14 Recess 15 Nut 16 Nut 17 Retaining disks 18 Retaining disks 19Retaining disks 20 Retaining disks 21 Glass panel 22 Glass panel 23Eccentric sleeve 24 Eccentric sleeve 25 Bore 26 Bore 27 Annular groove28 Annular groove 29 Annular groove 30 Annular groove 31 Bore 32 Annularshoulder 33 Cross-sectional widening 34 Section 35 Screw head 36 Lockingscrew 37 Section 38 Sliding Block 39 Profile groove 40 Bearing surface41 Air gap 42 Screw nut 43 Screw nut 44 Head 45 Securing ring 46Reinforcing profile 47 Retaining bolt 48 Receiving block 49 Internalthread 50 Transverse bore 51 Transverse bore 52 Receiving bore 53Support 54 Coupling ring 55 Tube wall 56 Transverse web 57 Profile 58Screw 59 Tension rod 60 Wall fastening 61 Securing plate 62 Fasteningangle 63 Fastening angle 64 Through-passage bore 65 Covering 66Insertion profile 67 Guide web 68 Threaded bore 69 Screw 70 Covering 71Covering 72 Insertion profile 73 Insertion profile 74 Threaded rod 75Threaded bore 76 Threaded bore 77 Receiving means 78 Glass-retainingmeans 79 Bearing 80 Locking screw 81 Conical bore 82 Conical bore 83Locking nut 84 Locking surface 85 Bearing surface 86 Top section 87Latching section 88 Guide bore 89 Covering profile

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement for securing at least one panel ofpanel-like material for erecting structures or parts of structures,comprising: a support adapted to retain the at least one panel; asupporting tube having a profile groove which is arranged in theinterior of the supporting tube and has a longitudinal slot; a retainingelement fastenable in the longitudinal slot in order to secure thesupport; wherein an inner longitudinal profile is provided in theinterior of the supporting tube opposite the profile groove, the innerlongitudinal profile having an inner longitudinal slot.
 2. Thearrangement according to claim 1, wherein the panel-like material is atleast one of glass panels and wooden panels.
 3. The arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein in a region of the longitudinal profile, awall of the supporting tube is provided with a notched-out portion. 4.The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising fasteningelements inserted through the inner longitudinal profile by way ofnotched-out portions.
 5. The arrangement according to claim 4, whereinthe fastening elements are fixed on the profile groove via additionalretaining elements.
 6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein theprofile groove is undercut.
 7. The arrangement according to claim 3,wherein the profile groove is undercut.
 8. The arrangement according toclaim 4, wherein the profile groove is undercut.
 9. The arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the retaining element is a sliding block.10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support isfastened displaceably on the supporting tube.
 11. The arrangementaccording to claim 1, further comprising a covering profile provided forcovering the longitudinal slot.
 12. The arrangement according to claim1; further comprising an end-side covering provided for the supportingtube.
 13. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising anadditional supporting tube and two end-side coverings, a respective oneof said end-side coverings being provided for one of the supportingtubes, the two end-side coverings being fastened on one another.
 14. Thearrangement according to claim 1, further comprising: an additionalsupporting tube; end-side coverings rotatable in relation to oneanother, the two supporting tubes being fastened at the end sides bymeans of the end-side coverings with the longitudinal slots rotated inrelation to one another.
 15. The arrangement according to claim 1,further comprising sealing profiles provided for sealing an interspacebetween two panels retained on a supporting tube via the support.
 16. Asupporting tube for securing a support for at least one glass panel,wherein the supporting tube has a profile groove which is arranged in aninterior of the supporting tube and has a longitudinal slot on which aretaining element is fastenable in order to secure the support, whereinan inner longitudinal profile is provided in the interior of thesupporting tube opposite the profile groove, the inner longitudinalprofile having an inner longitudinal slot.
 17. A structure, comprising:panel-like materials; an arrangement for securing the panel-likematerials, the arrangement comprising: a support adapted to retain atleast one panel of the panel-like materials; a supporting tube having aprofile groove which is arranged in the interior of the supporting tubeand has a longitudinal slot; a retaining element fastenable in thelongitudinal slot in order to secure the support; wherein an innerlongitudinal profile is provided in the interior of the supporting tubeopposite the profile groove, the inner longitudinal profile having aninner longitudinal slot.
 18. A method of producing a structure usingpanel-like material, the method comprising the acts of: retaining atleast one panel of the panel-like material on a supporting tube via asupport; securing the support on the supporting tube via a retainingelement, the supporting tube having a profile groove which is arrangedin the interior of the supporting tube and has a longitudinal slot onwhich the retaining element is fastened; providing an inner longitudinalprofile in the interior of the supporting tube opposite the profilegroove, the inner longitudinal profile having an inner longitudinalslot.